New York Financial Regulator Authorizes Blockchain Payment Platform

Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo announced that the Department of Financial Services (DFS) has authorized New York State-chartered Signature Bank to offer a new digital payment platform named Signet.  The Signet platform leverages blockchain technology to allow Signature Bank’s commercial clients to transfer “Signets” to make payments with no transaction fees, at any time of the day, year-round.  DFS’s approval includes required conditions to ensure that the bank maintains robust policies and procedures to address risks and ensure compliance with New York’s strong standards and regulations regarding anti-money laundering, anti-fraud, and consumer protection measures.

“DFS is pleased to strengthen and foster regulated innovation in New York’s burgeoning financial technology sector, specifically within our state-chartered banking system,” said Vullo. “New York continues to support and help advance innovation through sound state regulation and with products such as Signet, which provide lower-cost ways for businesses to efficiently make payments.”

The ability to transmit funds at all times is an innovation for bank payment systems, allowing clients to make instant payments. The new Signet platform authorized by DFS will allow funds to be transferred in real-time between two commercial clients of Signature Bank, eliminating any dependence on a third party.  Deposits held within the Signet platform are eligible for FDIC insurance up to the legal insurable amounts defined by the FDIC.

“It is gratifying to have the support of Superintendent Vullo and the Department of Financial Services. Through regulated innovation, we were able to turn our vision into a reality. It is clear the Superintendent and Department of Financial Services have thoroughly researched the financial technology arena and understand how it impacts the future of financial services. We look forward to working closely with their team to continue to transform digitally,” said Joseph J. DePaolo, president and chief executive officer at Signature Bank.

DFS’s approval follows a comprehensive and rigorous review of Signature Bank’s application and is subject to significant regulatory conditions all of which will be subject to examination and inspection by DFS examiners as well as independent consultants to ensure that important protections for New York markets and consumers are being met.  The approval is based on stringent requirements including to:

• Implement, monitor and update effective risk-based controls and appropriate BSA/AML and OFAC controls to prevent money laundering or terrorist financing.
• Implement,monitor and update effective risk-based controls to prevent and respond to any potential or actual wrongful use of virtual currency, including but not limited to its use in illegal activity, market manipulation, or other similar misconduct, as required by DFS’s February 7, 2018, "Guidance on Prevention of Market Manipulation and Other Wrongful Activity."
• Comply with DFS’s transaction monitoring and cybersecurity regulations.
• Maintain policies and procedures for consumer protection and to promptly address and resolve customer complaints.

Signature Bank, member FDIC, is a New York state chartered full-service commercial bank with 30 private client offices throughout the New York metropolitan area, including in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Westchester, Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Connecticut. The Bank expanded to the West Coast in 2018. The Bank currently has $45.87 billion in assets.